I know, just toss me in a hole with a noisy digital watch why don't you!
Well you might have to because today, I am not actually writing about The Descent. Nope. Poop on. Instead, I'm here to direct you to Girls On Film Radio Podcast where in Episode 25, myself and a few other sassy non-spelunking badass females delve into the film, audio-style. We also tackle the Oscar-winning The Lives of Others, another huge recommend of a very different ilk.
Get to it.
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Since you're in America, I'm guessing that you've seen the version of The Descent with the upbeat, happy ending, as opposed to the normal, everywhere-that-isn't-America version. Ah, studio meddling, gotta love it, who'd really want to live in a world that didn't feel the need to cut two hours from Once Upon a Time in America and redub Mad Max from English, to English! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteWe go in detail about this in the podcast. I was living in Korea the first time I saw the film on a, ahem, Internet screener, so I watched it with the original ending. When I found about the cut, I just rolled my eyes. It's ridiculous (though still better than the even more ridiculous last 20 seconds of the sequel).
ReplyDeleteDog Soldiers.....The Descent.....Marshall was on a roll, but I feel it's merely a flash in the pan for this guy. Two turds in a row and I am losing hope that he will ever again reach the majestic high of "The Descent" on to the podcast I go....chicks with movie podcasts are kewl.
ReplyDeleteSee, the first time I watched Doomsday I was horribly let down. The first 45 minutes are incredibly fun and intense, and then it just spills into insanity. On repeat viewings, however, I find myself sitting back and just enjoying it. It's not the film I wanted (based on the opening or the fact that it's his followup to The Descent) but it's something of a guilty pleasure now. I have similar feelings on Centurion. It's a mess, but a violent period era mess that I can still have fun with.
ReplyDeleteI saw Dog Soldiers when I was in England in 2002 and thought it was great. I then completely forgot about Neil Marshall until last year when I started listening to podcasts and The Descent was mentioned on one. AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteI bought The Descent Part II the other day so I guess I'll watch it, but being a sequel which hasn't been directed by Marshall I'll be happily going in without expectations.
That's the way to do it. It's not AWFUL (save for the ending and one key character) and watched as not-The Descent, it's a tad better than your average straight-to-DVD horror. It's just nowhere anywhere near the mastery of The Descent. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts once you get around to it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not ready to throw the towel in on Marshall.
ReplyDeleteThe descent was a great film, Doomsday wasn't too bad either.
I did not care too much for Dog soldiers or Centurion, but overall I think his work is above average.
Agreed Tangerine. I think we hold him to higher standards BECAUSE of The Descent, but I've still enjoyed every one of his films on one level or another.
ReplyDeleteWhat was Marshall's involvement in Part 2 - on IMDB it says he's an executive producer, so I'm guessing he had very little to none. Also assuming he gets a "based on characters created by" credit as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm aiming to watch both on the weekend. One thing I loved about the first one is the character of Juno, and how they gave her virtually no backstory despite being one of the most kick-ass women in the movies. When I was watching it I was waiting to find out that she had been in the SAS or similar. Just watch her kill! Quite wonderful.
Based on an article I read in Fangoria, I think he actually directed one day of found footage featured in the film (not really a spoiler: they had a video camera). I've heard other podcasters say he just cashed a check and tossed his name on the screen without caring, but the article seemed to suggest he was actually a little more deeply involved.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, Juno is kickass. She's also an irresponsible monster who leads her pals to their death AND cheats with one of her best friend's husband, but I also STILL like her! It's a testament to the character and actress, definitely.